Portable steam-generator.



J. R. ANDERSON.

PORTABLE STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22, 1915 1,228,867 v Patented June 5, 1917. I

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J..R. ANDERSON.

PORTABLE STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLICATION'FILED OCT- 22, 1915. 1,228,867.

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JOHN B. ANDERSON, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS;

PORTABLE STEAM-GENERATOB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5,1917.

Application filed October 22, 1915. Serial No. 57,887.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, J OIIN R. ANnnnsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moline, in the county of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Steam-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a portable steam generator adapted for a variety of uses where it is desirable to generate at intervals a quantity of steam.

The apparatus is particularly adapted for use by tailors, milliners, dressmakers and other persons employing steam for cleaning and freshening fabrics and for treating feathers, although obviously the apparatus is not necessarily limited to these uses. l-Ieretofore work of this character has been 2 performed economically only, in large estab- 25 desired functions in an uneconomical and unsatisfactory manner.

It is the object of my invention to pro vide a portable and inexpensive apparatus which will generate a desired amount of steam rapidly and eihciently and which is adapted to intermittent service.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing disclosing the preferred embodiment thereof, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus with the steam outlet in section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line '33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4; of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a suitable base, adapted to support the apparatus, on which is mounted a burner 2 supplied with fuel, preferably gas, through a duct 3, leading to a suitable inlet tube which is provided with the usual mixing chamber 5.

Hingedly mounted at 6 on the base 1 is a frame 7 forming a support for the remainder of the apparatus. A latch 8 is pivotally secured to the frame 7 at 9 and is normally forced to the position shown inFig. 3 by a spring 10, in whichposition the latch engages the base 1 to hold the parts in normal operative position. By means of the linger lever 11 the latch may be released, allowing the frame 7 to be tilted so that the burner 2 is accessible.

} Secured to suitable lugs 12 on the frame 7 is a casing 13, preferably of metal, supporting a cylindrical heat insulating member 14 which may be of fire-clay or other suitable material. A cap 15, preferably of fire-clay, rests upon the upper edge of the member 1a, the cap 15 being provided with openings 16' to allow the escape of com-.

bustion gases. Y

Mounted on the frame 7, surrounding the casing 13' but spaced therefrom, is an annular water reservoir 17, connected by a duct 18 in the frame 7 to a pump 19 adapted to supply water and air under pressure to the reservoir 17. The pump 19 comprises a plunger 20 connected by a rod 21 to an operating handle 22 and is provided with an inlet 23 having a ball valve 24 held in a suitable cage 25 to prevent egress of water or air which is drawn into the pump by the upward movement of the plunger 20. The outlet from the pump 19 is provided with a ball valve 26 held in position by a suitable cage 27, so that water or air delivered from the pump can not return thereto. .A needle valve 27 is provided to regulate the flow of fluids through the duct 18.

' The annular reservoir 17 is broken, as shown in Fig. 1, to allow the insertion of a gage glass 28 communicating with the interior of the reservoir 17 to indicate the height of the water therein. l/Vithin the gage glass 28 is a tube 29 extending nearly to the bottom of the reservoir 17 and terminating at the top in a. chamber 30 which communicates with a pipe 31 extending about'the top of the reservoir 17 and supported thereon by suitable brackets 32. The pipe 31 terminatesin a T 33 provided with a suitable needle valve 34: to control the flow of water therefrom. A sight-feed glass 35 is connected by suitable fittings to the T 33 and at its opposite end to an elbow 36, which is in turn connected to the coil 37 disposed within the heat-insulating member ll and above the burner 2. The opposite end of'the coil 37 is connected to a member 38 of increasing cross-sectional area which forms a support for the removablemember 39, having at its extremity ahead 4C0, provided with a plurality of perforations 41,

which delivers the steam to the article are far as'it is adapted to the particular work to be treated.

A cap 42', having a plurality of heat col lecting members 413, is supported upon the upper edge of the reservoir 17 and is pro- 7 vided with a plurality of upstanding lugs 41 which support a deflector plate 45 adapted to deflect theheated products of combustion away from the member 39 and the work, The'defl'ector plate 15 is provided with a plurality of pins 4e fitting in suitable open- "ings in the lugs 44. Preferably the casing 13 and the heat-insulating member 14 are cut away opposite the gage glass 28 and the sight-feed glass 35 and a window 47, preferably of mica, is disposed in the openingto allow the condition of the coil to be examined during the operation of the apparatus.

"The mode of operation of my invention should be apparent from the foregoing without further description of the structure thereof. By connecting a suitable tube to the inlet 23 and to a source of water supply the reservoir 17 may, upon operation of the plunger 20, be filled tothe desired level with water. If the tube is then Withdrawn from thesource-of water and the plunger 20 again operated sufficient air will be forced into therreservoir 17 to create the desired pressure therein. The valve 27 should then be operated to. close theqduct 18 and the apparatus is ready for operation. The burner 2 isthen: ignited and the valve 34 is manipulated to allow water to flow from the reser-. voir 17 to the coil 37, the flow of water heing at first limited, inorder that it may be rapidly converted into steam, and increased until the desired amount of steam is secured The steam will immediately issue from the openings 41 in the head 40 and may be utilized for the desired purpose. The valve 27 is openedfrom time to timel and the plunger 20 operated to maintain the desired pressure of air in the reservoir 17 and should the supply of water in the; reservoir 17 be depleted a further amount of water may be added in themanner previouslydescribed. V From the foregoing it will be readily understood that I have perfected an apparatus" which. is entirely safe in operation since the steam isat no time allowed to accumulate and create a"pressure, theqh'ead tOtbeing freely'open to the atmosphere through the openings 41 and the member 39 being of formed and is economical for the reason that no heat isstored up in thewater when the supply of gasis cut off;

It will be apparent that various changes may be made in: the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,

or sacrificing any of its material ;advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

Iclaim: l

1. A portable steam generator comprising in combination a water reservoir, a pump for supplying water and air under pressure to said reservoir, a heating coil,

a heat insulating member between said coil and reservoir, a pipe connecting the lower portion of said reservoir with one end of said 0011, a valve in said pipe to control the water supplied to said coil, means for heating said coil, and a perforated distributer head of greater cross-sectional area than said coil connected to the other end of saidcoil and freely open to: the atmos phere to discharge the steam generated therein. 7 H Y r r 2.. A portable steam generator "comprising in combination a water reservoir, a

pump for, supplying water and air under.

pressure tosaid reservoir," a heating coil, a pipe connecting'the lower portion of said reservoir with one'end of said coil includ ing a sight-feed glass, a valve in said pipe between said reservoir and sight-feed glass to control the water supplied to said coil,

means'for heating said coil, and a member removably connected to the other end of said coil and freely open to the atmosphere to discharge the steam generated therein.

- 3'. A portable steamgenerator comprise ing in combination a water reservoir, a pump for supplying water and air under pressure to said reservoir, a heating coil, heat insulating means surrounding said coil, a pipe connecting the lower portion of said: reservoir with one end of'said coil including a sight-feed glass, a valve in said pipesbetween said reservoir and sight-feed glass to control the water supplied to said coil, means forheating-said coil, and amember connectedto the other end of said coil and freely open to .the atmosphere to discharge the steam generated therein.

4. A portable steam generator" comprising in combination aheating coil, an annularwater reservoir surrounding said coil,

an annular heat insulating member between saidv coil and reservoir, a pump for supplying water and air under pressure to said reservoir, a pipe connecting the lower por tion of said reservoir with one end of said coil, a valve in said pipe to control the water supplied to said coil, means for heating said coil, and a perforated distributer head of greater cross-sectional area than said coil connected to the other end of said coil and freely open to the atmosphere to discharge the steam generated therein.

5. A portable steam generator comprising in combination a heating coil, an annular water reservoir surrounding said coil, :1 pump for supplying Water and air under pressure to said reservoir, a pipe connecting the lower portion of said reservoir with one end of said coil including a sight-feed glass, a valve in said pipe between said reservoir and said sight-feed glass to control the water supplied to said coil, means for heating said coil, and a member connected to the other end of said coil and freely open to the atmosphere to discharge the steam generated therein.

6. A portable steam generator comprising in combination, a heating coil, heat insulating means surrounding said coil, an annular water reservoir surrounding said heat insulating means, a pump for supplying water and air under pressure to said reservoir, a pipe connecting the lower p0rtion of said reservoir with one end of said coil including a sight-feed glass, a valve in said pipe between said reservoir and sightieed glass to control the water supplied to said coil, means for heating said coil, and a member removably connected to the other end of said coil and freely open to the atmosphere to discharge the steam generated therein.

JOHN R. ANDERSON. Witnesses:

GEO. W. Bone, MARSHALL BECK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

